The Match allows Bryson DeChambeau to get away from it all

Bryson DeChambeau has had an eventful few weeks on the PGA Tour, but The Match on Tuesday allowed him to forget about all that for a few hours.

The soaring vistas and majestic mountain views of Montana’s Big Sky Country is a place people go to get away from everything, to be able to forget about their problems for a little while.

Bryson DeChambeau needed such a picturesque environment, for the last few weeks have been nothing but distractions for him. There was the saga with Brooks Koepka. There was the back-nine collapse at the U.S. Open, where he took the lead at the turn on Sunday at Torrey Pines but went eight-over in his final eight holes to fall to 26th.

Last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, where he was the ambassador and defending champion, was a particularly challenging time. First, he split with Tim Tucker, his caddie for all eight of his PGA Tour titles, the night before the tournament began. He refused to talk to the media after his two rounds and left town early after missing the cut.

DeChambeau was beset by problems from all sides: poor play, a bad attitude, off-the-course questions, and a rival he can’t seem to escape. For a few hours on Tuesday, though, he got to escape from all that and play a friendly exhibition match.

DeChambeau and partner Aaron Rodgers prevailed over the team of Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in The Match, Part IV, played over the scenic Reserve at Moonlight Basin in Montana. The major champion and the NFL MVP quarterback received matching bracelets for the win, raised a bunch of money for charity, and, most importantly, DeChambeau had fun playing golf again.

There were smiles, practical jokes, and some witty banter. DeChambeau gave Brady a roll of tape, recalling when the seven-time Super Bowl champ split his pants in last year’s event. DeChambeau didn’t have to field questions about his caddy or his rivalry with Koepka; for 16 holes, before he and Rodgers won 3 and 2, it seemed his biggest concern was having a bear run out of the woods while searching for a wayward drive.

“It was so much fun,” he told TNT afterward. “I got to say thanks to everyone that was here. Tom, Phil, Aaron. I mean, just incredible vibes and feelings out here.”

Bryson DeChambeau enjoys his first Match experience

DeChambeau got to unleash a nearly 500-yard drive on the 777-yard eighth hole. He hit an iron 300 yards on the ninth, thanks to Moonlight Basin’s steep slopes. He was the accomplished pro in the group, but Rodgers, who admitted he hasn’t played much golf recently, proved a key part of their victory. The for-now Packers quarterback rolled in birdie putts on the 11th and 12th holes to put the group three-up in the match. And it was Rodgers who sealed the win; after DeChambeau hit his shot on the par-three 16th to about 20 feet, Rodgers holed another long putt to end it.

“It was a bit difficult, but I was glad I was able to get my partner up on the greens,” DeChambeau said. “He was making everything today. Everything.”

Rodgers and Brady are off to training camp in a few weeks. DeChambeau and Mickelson have the Open Championship in nine days. The four of them are going their separate ways, but for an afternoon, surrounded by a glorious landscape, they had some fun.